He Sent Me

            John 8:42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.”

            There is a statement one family member may say to another in hopes of obtaining something. “If you loved me you would (fill in the blank______)” is the phrase in question.  Have you ever heard that one?  You could call that conditional love.  Show me I am loved by doing something is the line of reasoning driving that phrase.  It is just so drastically different than the love we see displayed in the manger in Bethlehem.  We sometimes forget, minimize, or take for granted just what we were given. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This is what was accomplished first in the manger and then on the cross.  We are hopelessly broken. We live in a broken world. We are surrounded by broken people. And sadly, things are not getting better.  The headlines are filled with graphic illustrations of just how broken this world really is.  The Apostle Paul in Romans 5:6-8 shares a great perspective on this situation. It really cuts to the heart of any argument that Christ dying was no big thing.  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  He was in heaven with God the Father, and was sent by the Father.  He was born in very humble surroundings. Jesus lived a very humble life. Jesus tried to change the hearts of people who were so locked in their way of thinking regarding the path to righteous they could not see the obvious. (Sounds just like how people are today.)  Christ suffered the cross so that all mankind could be forgiven. And the interesting thing about what He tells us in John 8:42 is just so completely clear and obvious that so many miss the point. If the world embraced God as it’s Father, then the love for Christ would be a natural thing. Why is that point so often missed? Oh that’s right, people do not need God. They are doing just fine all by themselves.  How often has the opportunity to say “So how is that I don’t need God thing working for you” come along when you encounter someone who is lost or struggling with life?  My guess is it’s a frequent occurrence.  We must remember to share the news that God gave His only Son so that you, me, the person next to you or I, and so on would not perish. Jesus was sent By His Father, He did not come of His own accord. Jesus obeyed the Father and it’s a lesson for all of us to take to heart. So much good can follow with that in our heart.  He sent Jesus, and he sends you and I when we go out into the world sharing His love.  Go, share.

PRAYER: Almighty God, You sent Your Son to save us poor sinners. You sent Your very best because Your love for all mankind is boundless. We are humbled by this love.  The depth of that love often escapes our comprehension. Help us Father to hold dear in our hearts Your profound love. This we ask in the name of the Son You sent, Jesus Christ our Savior, Amen.